San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-12-30
CHAPTER xxxvr.-THE FIRST EVENING.

CHAPTER XXXvI.-THE FIRST EVENING.
In the westering light of lovely July
day, Mrs Langley and Valerie were driv.
en-, through miles Of stately elms and
beeches that lined the avenue on either
side. to Abbot's Leigh; and the girls eyes
dwelt in delight on the varied views of
park scenery presented as they went on
ward. the more beautiful that it was hilly
Abbot's Leigh itself stood on u height, ana
the road by-and-by grew sufficiently steep
to require more moderate pace for the
horses.
Lady ElinOr had gone herself with the
carriage to meet her guests, and she and
Mrs. LrnGty kept up fire of talk the
whole way; hut Valerie s3oke very lit ie
She found ample employment il looking
about her. AMI admiration Of IL" scenery
left her free, too, to indulge her own
thoughts undisturbed. A noble heritage
truly this was! How justly proud Max
Beauregard must be of it! How he must
love it!
Lord Westbrook and Mr. Dallas arrived
last night" explained Lady Elinor, as the
carriage began to mount the hill, "and
Major Travers and Mrs. Dudley came to-
udy, we tAptCI MISS llHWOOu
and we may have one or two others later
military friends Of Max's-but it is not
quite certain yet"
Valerie turned round to look at the
house, and her heart thrilled as she caught
a glimpse of the gray battlemented walls.
A few minutes more, and they came in
full sight Of the south-or rather south
west front-a grand old pile Of buildings,
with stately terraces brilliant with flowers,
and windows richly digit" glittering in
the level rays Of the sun.
"Well, Valerie" said Mrs. Langley, smil-
ing, for the girls soul was in her face,
"what do you think of Abbot's Leighf"
"Oh" she sald under her breath, 1T Is a
glorious old placer
"And may be yours" said Mrs. Langley,
to herself-"nay, shall be yoursW
The carriage rolled under great Gothic
gateway, the carvings of which were black
with age, as were the armorial bearings Of
the Beauregards on the crown of the arch,
and into a vast courtyard, where, Of old,
lords and ladies in rich attire had gathered
for the hawking; and then the coachman
drew up before the grand entrance-a gate
way rather than a doorway, deep set under
the doors stood open-appeared the tall
figure Of Max Beauregard, and came down
the broad steps to the side Of the carriage.
welcome to Abbot's Leigh" he said,
shaking hands with Mrs. Langley, and
then he turned to Valerie, and took her
hand for moment, including her in the
words just spoken; but in his heart mean
ing far more than welcome! Ay, a thOus-
and times more than welcome! He handed
out Mrs. Langley, then Elinor, then Va
lerie; and as he drew her hand on his arm
to escort her into the house, following
Lady Elinor and Mrs. Langley, he bent
down to her and said softly, with more
than a touch OF the old tenderness:
II hope we may be able to make your
stay here happy one, Valerie"
Tears rushed to the girls eyes: the hand
that rested on his arm trembled. With an
effort she answered him, and her voice fall
tered:
THANK you so much for that kind wishp'
was all she could say; and then they passed
through the lofty doorway, into the noble
hall, with its groined roof and painted win
dows, its grim suits of armor, and ancient
weapons and trophies of the chase, and
costly bronzes; and with strange thrill of
mingled pain and joy, Valerie raised her
eyes and looked above her, around her, as
she stood in Max Beauregard's house-by
its masters side.
There was no lack OF modern luxury in
the rooms to which Valerie was conducted
sitting room, dressing-room, md bed
room en- suite; but she was more enchanted
with painted ceilings and paneled walls,
and Gothic casement-windows set in deep
embrasures, and portraits of Beauregard
cavaliers and danes, than with silk and
lace draperies and velvet lounges, and the
rest. She let the tea that was brought her
get cold-much to Fanchon's distress
while she roamed about admiring quaint
old cabinets, looking at the pictures, gaz-
ing from the windows, which faced south
west, and commanded splendid sweep of
country. and trying to make out subjects
OF the paintings in the ceiling. At last
Fanchon tried to bring her TO the present
moment with:
what dress will MademOiselle wear'"
"Ohr' said Valerie, dreamily-she was
tracing the story of Joseph and his brethren
carved in alto relieUO on the high mantel-
piece. 'I-that isl wonder what the date
is9-Ohl here it is! How deliciOusly old
1887
"Mademoiselle wiz he lata " so'1 ~
IN y 0SWSsSaA